Down here in the south we have a little bit of a bug problem. And the further south you go, the more true that becomes. Florida is home to some of the most pest infested cities in the world, and with it’s booming population Brandon is no different. In fact, it’s just getting worse. So what we’ll do today is discuss the Brandon Florida pests, where you may find infestations, and what to do once they’re in your home.
Brandon Florida Pests: Why are there so many bugs in Brandon?
Brandon is home to thousands of insect species. In fact, there may be even more arthropods that aren’t classified as insects that we still consider “bugs”. Things like spiders, mites, centipedes, and ticks for example. And the most major reason we have such a massive amount of bugs with a large diversity is the climate. All around the world warm, humid places are home to vibrant insect and arthropod diversity.
The problem arises, unshockingly, around human involvement. Florida’s massive tourism industry, food industry, and other human activities create many opportunities for pest insects to breed and be introduced from elsewhere. Florida has a lot of interstate travel. Not only that but international travel as well. And with the frankly horrific regulation of the pet trade, fruits, vegetables, and live plant imports- you get the picture. Scientists say that, on average, an invasive arthropod becomes established in the state every month.
What kind of bugs live in Brandon?
So there you have it. Florida is a very desirable place to live for some, and that includes the insect kingdom. But the state, and Brandon in particular, have a lot of common household pests. Spiders, ticks, lizards, ants, the works. In fact, there are thirty-two species of ants alone in this state! So let’s start with the worst of them.
Fire Ants
The fire ant! You won’t find many more accurate names in the animal kingdom. Fire ants can be identified by their red body coloration, which ranges from reddish brown to reddish black.
These pests build towering ant mounds in sunny, open areas. They can be as tall as fat or more in some cases. They also spread out in a wide circle to an impressive diameter. To put it bluntly, this is one of the worst Brandon Florida pests.
When they attack a target, fire ants first grab on with their mandibles. They then begin to inject their venom through a stinger. The stings of a fire ant are painful, irritating, and even fatal if someone is allergic to them. If you’re stung by a fire ant and experience reactions such as sweating, nausea, and excessive itching, you likely need medical help. Their sting is alkaline, highly irritating, and results in red pumps with oozing white pustules. The best way to describe a fire ant’s bite is as a stinging or intense burning, hence the name. Fire ant venom also has a chemical that signals you to the other ants as a threat to the colony, which will attract more to sting you in large numbers.
Be very careful to avoid fire ant mounds, and that goes double for your pets. These Brandon Florida pests are genuinely dangerous in certain situations.
The German Cockroach
Up next we have the most common home infesting cockroach in the world. And boy does it love Florida! That’s right. As long as you’re living down here, look out for the German cockroach. The adults are easy to recognize at a glance, thanks to their light brown to tan coloration punctuated by two horizontal stripes located on their backs that start on their heads. The adults aren’t large, usually around an inch in size, and have wings. Thankfully, they don’t use these wings much, and instead, scutter around on the ground.
They’re capable of living outdoors in certain environments, but this pest prefers to live alongside humans. In fact, they’re most commonly found indoors. More of these bugs live inside human houses than outside of them, thanks to things like urban sprawl and overpopulation. But indoors you can find them in their preferred areas of a structure that are warmer and more humid. This means that kitchen environments and bathrooms are two favorites of this Brandon Florida pest. But, if they need to, they can easily move to new areas of the home.
Their nesting behaviors don’t really involve nest creations. Instead, german cockroaches simply group together in a safe spot. Once a single individual finds somewhere it deems safe, it releases attractant pheromones. And once again, thanks to overpopulation and urban sprawl, it will likely attract many other roaches to this spot. In these areas, the roaches will simply lay eggs and tend to their young. These spots become absolutely filthy, as roaches simply use the bathroom as they go. And German cockroaches in particular are described as having a musty odor in large numbers.
Brandon Florida Pests: What do I do when my home is bug infested?
While we’ve covered two of the worst pests in the areas, you still have to keep your eyes open. I didn’t even touch on any of the realms of blood sucking parasites, lawn destroyers, or larger pests at all. The long and short of this article is to explain to you just how bad the bugs are in Florida. If you are a homeowner anywhere near Tampa, expect to have to deal with them at least every few years.
But when you deal with them, don’t go it alone. Most Florida pests are quick reproducers. And improper use of poisons and pesticides can lead to generations of bugs with poison resistances and even immunities. Instead, visit our website at insectfree.com or call us at 1-800-634-1313 to set up a consultation. Chemical pesticides are dangerous and have long been proven to be a hazard to your health, your property, and your family. Go with a natural pest control company like us that’s local and has been in operation for many years.